hardware store metal halide?

[jack23uk]

im looking to get a metal halide for my nano set up so i can have atleast some corals and was wondering if the metal halides sold in hardware stores would be usable or do they have a different out put of light as the ones made for marine tanks ?

[Gaters]

I think they have the wrong ballasts. You will also have issues with heat and evaporation from a nano if you use a halide. Imo you won't need the 'punch' of an halide for a nano either. Have you thought about t5s or even leds?

[jack23uk]

ive been speaking to a few people about the new leds arcadia are bringing out but im being told that they dont seem to have enough out put for good coral growth as well as the tmcs leds.

i was thinking of maybe t5s , the smallest they do due to tank size but wasnt sure if they would have enough out put as id only be able to mount maybe 3 of them above my tank

[Tangman]

I think you mean Halogen not Halide from a DIY store Halogen are no good for marines as they will burn everything plus if the glass shatters which does happen it will all go in the tank. TMC Tiles are what you want for a Nano tank as thats what i am putting on a Nano when i get it setup. Twiggy

[reefergeek]

you can get the 150w halide food lights from some elec outlets for around £50, only trouble is the glass that protects the bulb has no uv block so unless the glass is upgraded or you use a bulb with built in uv block no good

what size is your tank get some pics up lets have a look maybe able to help you with lighting

[jack23uk]

my tank is 24long, 12 deep and 15 high, id put some pics up but i had a out break of misty water yesterday and im trying to resolve that first , its not a bacteria bloom ive checked all my water parameters and do a water change every few days it popped up last night just after one of my skunk cleaners kicked the bucket so i`ll have a pic up as soon as thats cleared so you will be able to see it properly, ive seen a few small hang on the back metal halide thats 250 w with a built in fan i was thiking of picking up.

i could make a support unit my self for the t5s its just knowing how many id need for my set up whilst limiting the amount of light spilledge..

excuse my english i need some more practice at it

[reefergeek]

oh heck 250w that will cook the water, would go for either 150w halide or 4 t5s, and dont have English lessons on here so dont worry lol

[jack23uk]

yh that was what i was worried about , the halid is only £35 .
the specs say

The unit also has a powerful built in cooling fan to keep your aquarium tank cool.
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow3.gif Features
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif High quality Aluminium cover
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif Bracket can be moved anywhere along your tank.
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif Open top allows plant growth beyond the water surface
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif In-built reflectors, to maximise the light output
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif Adjustable mounting bracket
External Ballast supplied which controls both the Halide light and built in Cooling Fan.
On and off switch for each individual parts control
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow5.gif Unit is available in Black Only
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow3.gif Specification
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif 30w Cooling fan
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif Measurements: 445 x 265 x 620 mm
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif Metal Halide Bulb: 1 x 250W 10000K
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/images/arrow4.gif 1 Months Warranty


which for the price i thought was very very cheap so would most likly upgrade the size of my tank to reduce the heat build up or use some kind of chiller.
plus im thinkig now i shouldnt of bid on it

[jack23uk]

103231032210321 clear water 2 days ago, misty water today still trying to resolve that issue, the pics makes the tank look smaller then it is

[reefergeek]

do you test your levels or get the local lfs to do it

[jack23uk]

i do mine my self and also once a week at a store my friend works at and they all have been fine for the last few weeks , ever my shrimp died at the same time the water became cloudy so was thiking maybe the 2 are connected but all my water parameters check out so ive ran out of ideas to what it is .

[reefergeek]

post your results on here all of them, also do you add any buffers to the tank at all

[jack23uk]

PH is 8.2
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrates 5ppm

i do water changes a few times a week so i dont add any buffers

[reefergeek]

how much in water changes and whats the mag,alk,cal levels

[jack23uk]

i do 20% twice a week
the alk was about 3meq/l
the cal was just over 400 although not sure the exact number
the mag levels i rele dont know

[reefergeek]

your changing to much water i would do 20% every 2 weeks

[jack23uk]

ok cheers mate thanks for the help

[reefergeek]

its ok, cut down on the water changes and let us know if you still having the problem, it should clear up in around 24hrs is its due to the salt